SUN Staff Report
7/23/09
Athletes representing Rio Arriba County at the Senior Olympics state games in May came back with 103 medals and 29 ribbons. The total included 36 gold medals.
Rio Arriba sent a team of 23 athletes to the state games, which were held from May 27 to 31 in Las Cruces.
Ed Mose, of Medanales, who competed with his wife Antonia, was selected as Rio Arriba’s Spirit Athlete and honored at the opening ceremonies. He received an autographed baseball from former Cincinnati Reds Hall-of-Fame catcher Johnny Bench, who was the guest speaker at the games.
The Olympics featured competition in 26 events for athletes 50 and older. To be eligible to compete in the state games, an athlete must participate in a locally sanctioned senior games and place first through sixth in their respective event and age division. The Olympics are divided into five age classes beginning with 50 and ending with 94 years of age.
A total of 780 athletes representing 130 communities participated in the 2009 games. The 2010 games will be held July 27 to Aug. 1 in Las Cruces.
If you are interested in participating in the games, contact Rio Arriba County recreation specialist Tara Terrazas at 753-6663, or the New Mexico Senior Olympics at (575) 623-5777 or www.nmso@nmseniorolympics.org.